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JAPAN
Mar 15, 2007

Statute used to overturn slave labor redress

responsibilities of the government and major companies," said Yuzuru Tamura, a law professor at Matsuyama University and an expert on the forced labor issue. "I believe the court forgot that it is the final fort to protect the victims' rights." According to a Foreign Ministry report, about 39,000 Chinese...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2007

Empress is palace's latest stress victim

It's not easy being a woman in the Imperial family.
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2007

Foreign labor need exposes dearth of rights

OSAKA -- As the debate intensifies over allowing more foreign workers into Japan to make up for the coming labor shortage, human rights groups have recently stepped up efforts to push for a law against discrimination.
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2007

Gov. Sonomanma: What sex slaves?

Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru, a comedian-turned-rookie-politician, waded into a political minefield Wednesday, claiming it was hard to confirm as historical fact that the wartime Japanese military coerced women across Asia into frontline brothels.
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2007

Citigroup bid firm at 1,700 yen as Nikko tender offer starts

U.S. financial services giant Citigroup Inc. said Wednesday it will launch a public tender offer for Nikko Cordial Corp. from Thursday through Apr. 26 for 1,700 yen per share -- a price Citigroup said it would not increase.
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2007

Minister's reticence may backfire

It's turning into a hard week at the Diet for farm minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, whose political funds report revealed suspiciously high utility expenditures at his rent-free government office.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 15, 2007

EU defies pessimists' dire predictions

PRAGUE -- As the European Union prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome later this month, the EU is widely perceived to be on its knees. European integration, is felt to have, somehow met its Waterloo in 2005, when Dutch and French referendums unexpectedly torpedoed the draft...
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2007

Michelin plans Tokyo eatery guide, vows ratings won't be French-based

The Michelin Guide, the French bible of gastronomy, extended its global reach Wednesday by announcing its first guide to Tokyo's restaurants amid local skepticism that the French would be the best arbiter of Japan's culinary traditions.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 15, 2007

Dark clouds over Shangri-La

Yunnan Province in southwestern China, a formerly poor and clandestine region, is now experiencing rapid growth due to tourism and rural development. Mountainous northwestern Yunnan is home to the headwaters of three great river systems that run in parallel within about 30 km -- the Salween, Mekong and...
COMMENTARY
Mar 15, 2007

North Korea prefers Bush?

Japan's distress over the rapid progress in U.S.-North Korean talks for normalization of relations is palpable. The government as well as the mainstream media seem united in hopes that Washington will delay normalization until North Korea meets Japan's demands over the abductee issue -- the return of...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 15, 2007

In dark woods

The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Kyushu is a peaceful, tranquillity-filled spot detached from the bustle of big cities like Fukuoka, a half-hour drive away. It has been a place of worship since it was built on the grave of Michizane Sugawara, a beloved high-ranking Heian Period official who died in exile...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 15, 2007

'Crossing the Bridge'

Amusic "scene" tends to arise out of a number of like-minded musicians operating from the same cultural starting point. Think San Francisco psychedelia, Detroit techno, London punk or Kingston's reggae and dub -- all scenes full of musicians sharing the same cultural ferment and arriving at similar sounds....

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji